54 



4. If, as suggested, the Government are to provide factories and 

 machinery for dealing with their various produce, then the Govern- 

 ment must feel sure the cultivators can supply regular and sufficient 

 quantities to enable such establishments to maintain themselves, and 

 I have the gravest doubts as to such being the case unless the land 

 is cultivated and kept up at a high standard. 



5. The question then naturally arises can any inducement be 

 offered by Government to attract the n ttive inhabitants and make 

 it worth their while to take up tracts of land and really cultivate 

 them by the best methods. 



6. I am of opinion that it is possible, though of course at some 

 cost to Government, but this need not, seeing the many advantages 

 that may afterwards accrue, be necessarily taken into serious account. 



7. My suggestions are these — vis. 



1st. The land for a certain period of years would be given 

 at a very low or nominal rent ; 



2nd. All the plants and seeds required for the various cul- 

 tivation be supplied by Government to the natives 

 free of cost ; 



3rd. All the heavier drainage be paid for by the Govern- 

 ment ; 



4th. The market price of their produce guaranteed them 

 by the Government. 



As against this the natives would be liable to supervision and be 

 obliged to keep the lands thoroughly cultivated. 



8. Such a scheme might be started on a comparatively small 

 scale and increased and developed if the results prove satisfactory. 



9. My whole contention is that until Government is fully satis- 

 fied that the native inhabitants will really take a true interest in the 

 proper cultivation of the land, which they might be induced to do 

 by giving them exceptionally favourable and easy terms (and this, 

 I consider, is well worthy of trial), it would not be of any advan- 

 tage to Government to afford the financial assistance that the pro- 

 posals of Mr. ARDEN might require; on the other hand, if good 

 proof is forthcoming that the native inhabitants would fulfil their 

 part of the bargain re culture, then I believe the suggestions advo- 

 cated might be carried into effect with good profitable results to all 

 concerned. 



I have, etc., 



L. C. BROWN, 

 Inspector of Coconut Trees, F.M S. 

 The Resident-General, F.M.S. 



